Window ventilator



H. HOVLAND WINDOW VENTILATOR April 2, 1940.

Filed May 19, 1937 INVENTOR ATTORN EY Patented Apr. 2, 1940 2 19 07' UNlT-ED STA-TE-S PATENT OFF-ICE v WINDOW vEn'rILAToR j Henry Hovland Williston I fark, N. Y. Application lt'fay 19; 1937, Serial No. 143,507

1 ma s. ol. 93 -99 The present invention relates to window ven- A special object is the'provision of a ventilator tilators'and more particularly-thoseof a 'collapsof an articulated type, the entire assemblage of ibletype. which-may be'made from metal stampings.

' Heretofore various forms of ventilators adapted w Other novel details of construction and the 5 tov deflect the air entering through an open'winarrangement of parts which'are; exemplified in 5 dow have been proposed. They are generally of the accompanying drawing and manifested from two forms,namely, one form which is of the exthe following description are additional objects tensible type and removably positioned beneath of the invention. s

the bottom sash of the window andintended to Referring o the a fl p y ng drawin 10 be; removed when it is desired to close thewin- I,Fig;,1 is anelev o CTOSS Section Of a Window 10 dow; The other form of ventilators includes those Ventilator embodying y ve which are designed to be permanently'secured'on 2 fl p V ew t e on the e the outside of the window and generally-of acolof Fig. 1 and with parts broken away, ofthe ven- I lapsible type. .The commercial success of both t d in operatingposition;

forms, of ventilators has been rather. indifferent wFig- 3 is a fragmentary View Of One end of y 15 as each has itsdisadvantages. For example,-the ventilator, showing particularly the construction extensible type frequentlyis w'et from the .rain P y for S Q r D t e ent lator to the winand snow and is rather messy to remove from'the 5 windowv in such condition. Those ventilators Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the ventilator which are permanently fastened on the outside of taken along the line of 20 the window are objectionable for many r a o Fig. 5 isa cross section, taken on the line 55;- I

chief of which are thattheyfit loosely on some Oi i the p Slat 0f the Ventilator; form of special mounting'and thereforerattle, or a 6 is fragmentary d ta V ew Showing t e else they d not extendthe full width of the-wine in fast for si e es ats forming the dowsashandthus fail to give full protection 0 v practicability and economy'of manufacture. I

from the elements. v Fig. '7 is a similar view showing detail of icon- It is an olojectof my in ti t provide an ,struction for hinging the slats; and improved window ventilator of the collapsible Fig.8 is aview of one type of link used to hinge t pe,;characterized by simplicity of construction, the slats to 0118 er- Referring to the drawing, a double hung sash 30 Another object is the provision fof a ventilator 1 Window casing, designate generally by the of the collapsible type whichmay be easilyd erence number i, isfprovided with lower sash 2 permanently 'mounted within the window casing upper sash 3 slidably in the Casing.

l and not interfere with the operation of th a h said sashes sometimes hereinafter being referred u or the installation of an outside s re .7 H to as inner and outer sashes, respectively. On 35 Another object of the invention is the provision Bath Side Of the Casing the Sashes and 3 e of a ventilator which when in operative position w y 4 and 5 p v y, and t e p ted eliminates the possibility of rain or snow enter- E m c th r y pp t v disposed uid ing the room' through pa e bet e th ds Trails or strips 6, the bottomof the'outersash 3 40 of the ventilator and the window casing. 1 av uta 'no t s t receive t adjacent A rurtherf bject is the provision of an exde s d guide ps 6- e Fi 1.) Sash,v pansible'ventilator with a self-gripping fastening Cords n W not wn, are provided for means which when brought'int en a e tiwjt raising and lowering each "of the sashes 2 and 3 t guide strips twe the innei ando'uter "to any desired distance. The construction thus As/sashes, holds the ventilator at any articulated far described is standard, particularly w e: 4

height beneath the bottom part of theupper f'sp' ct t w d s, and.,w ll ther f re be: sash.v fully understood by those skilled in the art.

A still further object of the invention is t 'My ventilator comprises a series of duplicate combine in ntilator. of the collapsib e type slats 10 formed preferably of sheet material such all of the advantages of a removable form of venas Sheet Steel Which may be W p ed in 50 tilator and at the same time eliminate the disany suitable manner. The slats ill have a main advantages of an outside blind'or shutter; such 'flatbody portion having the longitudinal edges as requiring special'mountines and/or housings, H and thereoffeversely b so that'when eing offensive to the"aesthetic'tastes;cumberassembled the'outer edge H and inner: edge I2 -are-in'clined downwardly and upwardly respectively. The ends of slats I are provided with cut-out tongue members I3 and I4 which are spaced nearer the edges II and I2 than to the center of the body portion of said slats. The tongue members I3 and I4 project slightly beyond the ends of the slats ID, the purpose of which will hereinafter be more fully described.

For linking the several slats I0 together, I provide a plurality of duplicate right and left hand members I5, hereinafter sometimes referred to as links or hinges, each of which comprises a rectangular-shaped body portion having at each end oppositively disposed reduced portions which are curled inwardly to form reversely positioned cylindrical sockets I6 and H. The difference in construction between right and left links is the positioning of the sockets I6 and I! with respect to the longitudinal edges of the body portion of the links l5. Tnat is to say, regarding the link shown in Fig. 8 as a right hand link, a left hand link would have the sockets I6 and I1 formed adjacent the lower longitudinal edge of said link. However, for the sake of convenience in describing the hinge construction reference characters will only be applied to right hand links and right hand tongue members I3 and I4, it being understood that the left hand parts are duplicate except reversely formed. The diameter of the sockets I6 and I7 is slightly greater than the width of the tongue members I3 and I4 so that the latter may be journalled in said sockets I6 and I l it will be noted that shoulders I8 and H) are formed adjacent the sockets I6 and I1 and the function of said shoulders and socket members will now be explained.

As mentioned above, the means for connecting the several slats l0 so that they will articulate properly and at the same time simplify the assemblage is an important feature of my invention. A pair, one right and the other left, of hinge members I is used between each of the slats In; in the case of a left hand link member the socket I I is slipped over the tongue I3 of thebottom slat and the tongue I4 of the slat next above is slid into the socket I6. As the hinges I5 are placed upon the tongues I3 and I4, in the manner just mentioned, they are thus each loosely connected to opposite sides of adjacent pairs of slats and to secure said hinges in place I provide U-shaped fastening members 23, somewhat shorter in length than the width of the slats I0 and having their lateral sides spaced apart slightly farther than the thickness of said slats ID. The fastening members 23 are provided with apertures 2| adapted to register with the tongues I3 and I4 and after said tongues have been inserted in said apertures their projecting ends are bent over on bers I5 to bind. If desired the members 20 may be spot welded, as illustrated in Fig. 6, in addition to bending over the protruding ends of the tongues I3 and I4; naturally this operation increases the cost of manufacture and my construction does not require same.

much as it carries the gripping mechanism forming part of the fastening means for securing the ventilator to the window casing I in an operative position. The edges 23 and 25' of slat 24; are reversely rolled back upon the body of the slat,

' be moved back and forth along the slat 24, the

' upper slat ID is hinged to the base plate 31 by a ing guide strips 6. For the remainder of its width 5 and including the edge 25, the slat 24 is the same in length as slats I0. The extending portions 26 along the edge 25 are hinged to the adjacent edge of the next slat ID in such a manner that slat 24 may be folded upwardly and inwardly in securing the top of the ventilator to the guide strips 6. The hinge construction comprises a cut-out portion 21 made at each end of the slat 24 and. along the edge 25, the opening thus formed being adapted to receive a short link 28, see Figs. 1 and 5, which is a modification of the link IS in that the reversely formed sockets I6 and I1 are spaced closer together and the body portion of the link has no shoulders, being the same width as the sockets I6 andI'I. One end of the links 28 is hinged to the slat 24 by means of short pins 29 having their bearings in the rolled edge 25 of said slat 24, and the other end of said links 28 is connected to the next lower slat I0 by the tongues I4 in the manner above described.

To secure the ventilator to the window casing I I provide a pair of catches, designated generally by the reference character 30, each comprising a slide 3| slidably mounted adjacent the ends of slat i." 24. The rolled back edge 23 forms a groove at each end of the slat 24 within which the adjacent longitudinal edge of each of the slides 3| may be reciprocated. The outer ends of the slides 3| are bifurcated, forming projections 32 and 33 spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the width of the guide strips 6; said projections 32 and 33 being somewhat shorter than the depth of said guide strips 6 so that when the slides 3| are held horizontal and moved into engagement with said strips 6, said projections fit snug without binding. The projections 33 of the slides 3| are reciprocably journalled in collars 32 formed from the slat 24 in any suitable manner as by rolling.

To reciprocate the slides 3| I provide longitudinal slots 34 in the slat 24, through which pass rivet members 35, having one end riveted to said slides 3| and the other end secured to finger pieces 36. By exerting pressure upon the finger pieces 36, or otherwise gripping the same, the slides 3| may outer ends of the slots 34 constituting stops against which the rivet members 35 abut, thus limiting the inner movement of said slides 3|, but providing suflicientend play so that slight" variations in the width of the casing I are thus taken care of.

The ventilator is secured to the window sill by means of a stationary base plate 31 having holes which accommodate screws 38. The next pair of hinges I5 in the same manner as the several slats are connected.

From the foregoing the mounting and operation of my ventilator will be easily understood. It may be marketed in an assembled form because of ,the collapsible construction; the links and slats normally nest closely together. The purl chaser merely fastens the base plate 31 to the sill The top slat 24 differs from the slats I0 inas- 1, so that the slats III may articulate within the runways 5 of the upper-sash 3. When the venin its collapsed condition will not be noticeable from within the room.

When it is desired to place the ventilator in operation, it is raised to any height by gripping the slat 24 and liftingthe same. This causes the adjacent slat It, through its link connection 28 with the slat 24, to move upwardly, and in so doing'it is tilted down outwardly and drawn inwardly at the same time against the guides 6 until the shoulders I8 of the links [5 impinge against the under surface of the body portion of the top slat ll], thereby constituting a fulcrum about which the second slat I0 is tilted downwardly until similarly arrested by the shoulder I9 of the hinge member I5 impinging against the upper surface of the body portion of said second slat II). By this arrangement the hinges l5 comprising the linkage between the slats serve not only as spacing means between the successive slats but also determine their inclination from the horizontal. It will therefore be appreciated that the length of the hinge members I 5, and the location of their points of attachment to the slats roughly control the spacing and pitch or inclination of said slats when the ventilator is articulated. Further, the cylindrical head or socket formed upon each end of the hinge members l5 function as spacers thus preventing the slats sticking together when folded or unfolded. The metal links I5 are somewhat resilient, that is, each link constitutes a fiat metal spring with its shoulders l8 and I9 bearing against the slats in when the ventilator is extended; anddue to the resiliency of links IS, the slats it are tensioned against the guide strips 6, and engagement between the ends of slats i 0 and the guide strips 5 is thereby maintained. I

After the ventilator has been raised to any desired height the slat 24 is turned upwardly and inwardly about its hinge members I5 and the catch 3!] caused to grip the guide strips 6 by holding said slat 24 substantially horizontal and moving the slides 3| outwardly until the bifurcated portions of said slides engage the adjacent surfaces of the guide rails 6. Then by releasing the grip on theslat 24 it will be turned down outwardly by its weight to a slight incline, thus causing the projections 33 and collars 32' to bind upon the guide strips 6 in such a manner as to constitute a self-adjusting locking means for holding the ventilator in any desired position by a simple manipulation. It will, of course, be understood that sufficient slats are provided to permit the extension or articulation of the ventilator to the full height of the lower sash 2, and when said sash 2 is drawn flush, see Fig. 1, with the in nor edge of the slat 24 the amount of ventilation can be thus roughly regulated within a given range depending upon outside weatherconditions and the fancy of the occupant of the room. At the same time any rain or snow will be deflected by the inclined body portions of the slats.

When it is desired to close the sash 2, the ventilator may be collapsed by merely gripping the slat 24 and by raising or turning it to a horizontal position, which movement relieves the binding action of the projections 32 and 33 on the guide strips 5. The slides 3! may then be retracted by means of finger pieces 36, and when the projections 32 and 33 have cleared the strips Bthe slat 24 is rotatable outwardly about its pivot points. The weight of the articulated slats is sufficient to effect the collapse thereof to a nested position on the sill of the window casing.

From the above it is obvious that by making the slats ID substantially the same length as the width of the runways 5 of the window casing l,

a fairly snug-fit maybe obtained without the ends of said slats l0 binding on said casing, and the flexible nature of thehinges I5, together with the link'arrangement for 'hinging the slat 24 to I the adjacent slat l0, greatly reduces the tendency ing for the ventilator as'it is entirely confined within the runways 5 thereof, and of such construction as not to require any special guide rods, fastenings, supports or the like. Further, it is suniciently protected from snow, sleet and inclement weather as to be practical for winter use. Also the ventilator does not interfere with the installation of the customary form of screen on the outside of the window during the summer months."

The inherent rigidity and/or'resiliency of certainsheet material, as for example sheet steel, makes it possible to secure an assembled'structure comparatively light in weight and at the same time sufficiently strong to resist deformation that otherwise might be caused by ordinary wear and tear; I-Iowevenif it is desired to reinforce the assemblage illustrated this may be done in several ways which would suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. For example, another 'set' of hinges could be added intermediate to the provision of an assemblage composedof parts However, all such modifications de-.

or elements which may be punched or formed of sheet material, easily assembled, and atthe same time be serviceable in practice.

Although my invention is characterized by simplicity of construction, changes may be made by those'skilled in the art without departing from as good designing or approved practice might indicate. One such arrangement would be to hinge the connecting links 'on the ends of the wooden slats so that they would operate in the fashion of a lazy tongs when the ventilator was collapsed or articulated. It is my desire to cover all such changes and modifications as come within the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a window casing having upper and lower sashes, a runway for each of said sashes, guide strips separating said sashes, an expansible ventilator comprising a plurality of slats, hinge members for loosely connecting opposite sides of adjacent slats at each end thereof, a stationary base plate hinged to the lowermost slat and secured to the window sill, catches .carried near the ends of the uppermost slat, each of said catches consisting of a slidable plate provided the linkage, said supportingmeans being selfgripping when brought into engagement with said guide strips, said ventilator being confined within the runway for the outer sash and substantially of the same length as the width of said sash, said sashes being free to move in said runways to substantially the same extent when the ventilator is collapsed on said sill as if said ventilator were not mounted in said casing.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a plurality of slats stamped from sheet material and each having a pair of tongue members integrally formed upon the ends thereof, links provided with oppositively disposed reversely positioned socket members adapted to receive said tongue members, and means for holding said sockets in engagement with said tongue members.

4. In combination, a window casing having upper and lower sashes, runways for said sashes and guide strips separating said runways, a collapsible ventilator mounted within the runway of the upper sash and fastened, when collapsed, only to the sill of said casing, and means comprising an upper slat with bifurcated ends rendered effective by the weight of the ventilator for gripping said guide strips to hold said ventilator extended.

5. A collapsible ventilator for a window comprising a casing, upper and lower sashes freely movable up and down in runways in said casing, guide strips separating said runways and a window sill, said ventilator comprising a plurality of slats loosely hinged together with the ends thereof extending into the runways of the upper sash, means fastening the bottom slat to the window sill, said sashes being free to move in said runways to substantially the same extent when said ventilator is collapsed on said sill as if said ventilator were not mounted thereon, one .edge of the topslat of the ventilator being closely hinged to the rear edge of the next slat, the free edge of the top slat being shorter in length than the hinged edge so that the top slat may be turned back between the guide strips and underneath the bottom of the lower sash, and means at the ends of the top slat for gripping the guide strips immediately below the bottom of the lower sash to hold said ventilator in operating position.

6. In combination, a window casing having upper and lower sashes and a runway for said sashes, guide strips separating said runways, a collapsible ventilator mounted within the runway of the upper sash and fastened, when collapsed, only on the sill of the casing, said ventilator comprising a plurality of slats loosely hinged together and adapted to incline outwardly and downwardly when in operating position, the top slat being provided with gripping means adapted to engage the inner and outer sides of said guide strips, said gripping means constituting slide membrs reciprocably mounted on the ends of the top slat, said ventilator being hingedly connected to an edge of said top slat, whereby the weight of the ventilator when in operative position effects engagement of said gripping means with said guide strips.

7. In combination, a window casing having upper and lower sashes and runways for said sashes, guide strips separating said runways, a collapsible ventilator mounted within the runway of the upper sash and fastened, when collapsed, only on the sill of the casing, both of said sashes being free to move in their runways to substantially the same extent as if no ventilator was so mounted, means carried by an upper slat for gripping the inner and outer sides of said guide strips, said ventilator being hingedly connected to an edge of said upper slat, whereby the weight of the ventilator when in operative position eifects engagement of said gripping means with said guide strips.

HENRY HOVLAND 

